Josh Gordon isn't going back on the field until he gets a tighter grip on his life.

The suspended Cleveland Browns wide receiver, whose talent has been little more than a tease for several years as he battled personal demons, said Thursday he's entering rehab and putting his promising NFL career on hold.

Gordon was eligible to return from his latest four-game suspension next week and possibly play on Oct. 9 against New England.

However, the troubled 25-year-old's future is again uncertain after he chose to seek professional help.

Gordon released a statement through the Browns, who have stood by him but may need to move on.

"After careful thought and deep consideration I've decided that I need to step away from pursuing my return to the Browns and my football career to enter an in-patient rehabilitation facility," he said.

"This is the right decision for me and one that I hope will enable me to gain full control of my life and continue on a path to reach my full potential as a person.

"I appreciate the support of the NFL, NFLPA, the Browns, my teammates, my agent and the community through this extremely challenging process."

Gordon has been suspended by the NFL in the past for marijuana and alcohol abuse. He did not indicate why he's seeking treatment.

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The Browns had been encouraged by the progress Gordon seemed to be making during his suspension, which followed him being banned for one year by Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Gordon met with Goodell a few months ago and was being given another chance to get his personal life in order.

League spokesman Brian McCarthy would not comment on Gordon's status with the Browns.

"Our concern is with Josh's well-being," he said.

Bryant avoided Cowboys for 2 days, fearing news on knee

Dez Bryant appeared in the locker room and seemed to be in a good mood, which was more than the Dallas receiver could say for the first two days of the week.

The 2014 All-Pro missed medical appointments and team meetings over two days away from the Cowboys this week, and coach Jason Garrett said he was trying to avoid news on his injured right knee that he thought would be bad but was better than expected.

Bryant declined to comment but kept a steady presence in the locker room for the 45 minutes it was open to reporters, at one point playing music loudly the same way he did last season when he was out with a broken foot and had a contentious relationship with the media.

Later, he sat smiling on a counter looking into the locker room while talking to a member of the public relations staff.

• Randy Gregory has been suspended 10 games by the NFL on top of the four-game ban the Dallas defensive end was already serving for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.

Panthers' Stewart out vs. Falcons with hamstring injury

Ron Rivera says running back Jonathan Stewart will miss his second straight game this Sunday with a hamstring injury when the Carolina Panthers visit the Atlanta Falcons.

Stewart was injured in the team's Week 2 win against the San Francisco 49ers and hasn't practiced since.

Rivera says Stewart will be evaluated on Monday.

Cameron Artis-Payne will start at running back and Fozzy Whittaker will be used as a change-of-pace back with Stewart out. Last week Artis-Payne carried 12 times for 47 yards and had one reception for 12 yards in a 22-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Whittaker had five carries for 22 yards and five receptions for 34 yards.

Cutler returns to the sideline

Although Chicago Bears coach John Fox is back at practice after a day away because of illness, his starting quarterback isn't participating.

Quarterback Jay Cutler had practiced Wednesday on a limited basis for the first time since suffering a thumb sprain Sept. 19, but did not practice on Thursday.

As a result, Brian Hoyer continues to run the offense.

The Bears (0-3) are also without their top two running backs and rookie Jordan Howard appears to be the starter for Sunday's home game against the Detroit Lions (1-2).

Jets' Decker still not in action, could sit Sunday

New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker sat out his second straight practice with a shoulder injury, increasing the possibility that he could miss the game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

Decker did not even participate in stretching with the team Thursday, standing on the sideline in street clothes while his teammates practiced.

Decker injured the shoulder against Buffalo on Sept. 15, but it worsened last Sunday during the loss at Kansas City. The wide receiver said after the game that the shoulder was sore, but it appears it could be worse than that.

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